Scout Notes

Does Jesus’s star turn on the right flank spell bad news for Mahrez in Gameweek 3?

MANCHESTER CITY 5-0 NORWICH CITY

  • Goals: Tim Krul (£4.5m) own-goal, Jack Grealish (£8.0m), Aymeric Laporte (£5.5m), Raheem Sterling (£11.0m), Riyad Mahrez (£9.0m)
  • Assists: Gabriel Jesus (£8.5m) x2, Ruben Dias (£6.0m)
  • Bonus: Jesus x3, Laporte x2, Dias x2

JESUS EXCELS OUT WIDE

Gabriel Jesus (£8.5m) is a regular for his national side on the right flank but we’ve seldom seen him deployed on the wing for Manchester City.

That’s the tactic Pep Guardiola turned to on Saturday, with the Brazilian and Jack Grealish (£8.0m) stationed either side of ‘out of position’ FPL midfielder Ferran Torres (£7.0m) in the front three.

Above: Gabriel Jesus’s touch heatmap in Gameweek 2, via the Premium Members Area

His performance was excellent and he was unlucky not to complete a hat-trick of assists given that he was the provider of the cross that led to Tim Krul‘s (£4.5m) own-goal.

While we’re never sure what Pep Guardiola has up his sleeve in any given Gameweek, such was the success of the tactical experiment that it could easily be repeated against Arsenal in Gameweek 3 – which would spell bad news for Riyad Mahrez (£9.0m), who at least salvaged something out of a substitute’s appearance on Saturday by slotting home City’s fifth goal.

“He’s a player who likes to be wider than central position. One of the reasons why I’m a manager is when you can work with people and humans like Gabriel. He never complains, he plays five minutes, he plays the best five minutes he can do.

“He’s happy on left, right or centre and today the connection with Kyle was exceptional. I’m pleased with his performance; he was involved in three of our goals and is an incredibly important player for us.” – Pep Guardiola on Gabriel Jesus

EARLY START FOR PEP ROTATION

Guardiola made five changes to his starting XI for this victory.

It’s not just the rotation that makes pinpointing a strikerless City asset in FPL tricky: their 16 shots against Norwich were spread across 10 players.

Grealish only chalked up the one effort, an inadvertent touch from a Jesus cross that resulted in his first City goal, but his 11 penalty box touches was a high in this fixture and Guardiola wants his summer signing to start turning close-to-goal proximity into returns.

“If he gets the mentality to score goals like Raheem, yeah (he can score more). When Raheem was here when I first arrived he didn’t have goals in his mind and we immediately changed his arrival. Today he scored because he arrives in the centre, he’s a machine there. He changed his mind and decided he was going to score. Jack has this mentality to score goals and win games as well.” – Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish

It was business as usual for last season’s meanest defence, who allowed Norwich just one shot on goal.

Aymeric Laporte (£5.5m) and Ruben Dias (£6.0m) delivered attacking returns but Joao Cancelo (£6.0m) again caught the eye offensively, registering more than twice as many penalty box touches than ‘false nine’ Torres.

On the injury front, Ilkay Gundogan (£7.4m) was able to start for the Citizens but neither Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) nor John Stones (£5.4m) made the squad due to fitness reasons.

£4.0m WILLIAMS ARRIVES

We’re lucky to get one playing £4.0m defender in some seasons but we’re blessed with a handful of them at present, and another could be joining the ranks in the form of Brandon Williams (£4.0m).

The Manchester United defender has signed for Norwich on a season-long loan and his arrival probably couldn’t be timed better with regards to playing time, with Daniel Farke bemoaning the fact that four of the reigning champions’ five goals came from the left-back area – Williams’ position.

The current occupier of that role, Dimitris Giannoulis (£4.5m), was hooked at half-time, with replacement Bali Mumba (£4.0m) coming in for some criticism from his manager after the game.

“We are disappointed with the result and especially with the way that we conceded four times the same goal – their players getting in behind my left-back for an easy tap-in. We were a bit unlucky with the second phase after the set piece for Laporte’s goal, but I’m disappointed with how we conceded the other four goals.

“We prepared the whole week because City always plays like this with a chipped ball or low pass behind the last row and the right winger tries to be there with the movement. I wish we defended those situations with a bit more individual quality but we didn’t today so we have to accept the loss.

“It was a tough first half for Dimi. It’s a tough start for him and his first time playing on this level. Last week, he faced Mo Salah who finished the game with one goal and two assists. I wanted to wait at least until half-time not to embarrass him too much and we have to accept it’s his first time playing on this level. He needs to adapt and he knows that he has to fulfil the role with a bit more quality.

“Bali affected the game but conceded twice the same goal. I was a bit disappointed with his behaviour for the fifth goal because you can’t play offside and just throw the arm up in the air.” – Daniel Farke

Naturally, a £4.0m Norwich defender is a mite different from a Liverpool asset at the same price, so expectations will have to be lower of a player who is part of a backline that looks as unconvincing it did two seasons ago.

The fixtures do ease for Williams and his new teammates from Gameweek 5 onwards, however, with the Canaries top of our Season Ticker from then until Gameweek 14.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, Gundogan, (Palmer 69), Grealish (Mahrez 75), Rodri, Jesus, Silva, Torres (Sterling 61).

Norwich City XI: Krul, Aarons, Gibson, Hanley, Giannoulis (Mumba 46), Rupp (McLean 46), Gilmour, Lees-Melou, Cantwell, Pukki (Sargent 77), Rashica.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM GAMEWEEK 2

FPL Gameweek 2 round-up: Sunday goals, assists, bonus and injuries 4
1,013 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Just done Barnes and Toney > Benrahma and DCL to give me this for GW3, what are your thoughts?

    Sanchez (Steele)
    TAA Shaw Tsimikas (Amartey White)
    Salah Bruno Benrahma Raphina (Brownhill)
    DCL Ings Antonio

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Good moves. I do t get why people are holding Barnes and doing a defender transfer

    2. zes
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      nice team, apart from you may be playing with ten men next week

      1. Andrew
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Next week Tsimikas becomes another defender.

    3. kringe
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Nice team.
      But personally would play Amartey ahead of Tsimikas.

      1. Andrew
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Yes good call

    4. YNWA74
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I also swapped Barnes for Benrahma, should have done it last round as I was far more impressed by West Ham than Leicester.

      Also swapped Amartey for Duffy before the price went up on the latter. This leaves me with a decent 4,0 defender if Tsimikas doesn’t play.

      My dilemma now is that I still have Toney - and Bissouma who was left on the bench with his 8 point in GW2

    5. Al Pacho
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      We have quite a similar team. Great moves there. You may want to bring in another defender soon. All the best!

  2. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Think I am leaning towards Livramento over Duffy.

    Duffy is pretty replacing Tsmi with a like for like. He's the best 4m option, but he's also a short term one - he may end up keeping his place and more power to those who backed him if thats the case, but there will always be that nagging doubt I suppose. If bought he might end being shifted on a wildcard, maybe for a 0.1m profit, but then his replacement, Livramento will probably be 0.2m more by then anyway. I'm not really looking for points from my 4m, i'm looking for security of starts and minimizing spend to do so. I think whichever way you cut it, Livra will be 0.1m cheaper and that is the primary factor here.

  3. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone considering Jimenez from gameweek 4? Looks like a great option.

    1. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Not many it seems, he's close to dropping tonight so dont do it today, wait for the price drop.

      1. Andrew
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Sorry didnt see GW4 in your post.

    2. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Traore is topping the midfielders xGI after two quite tough games so he is top of my watchlist after United. Those fixtures look fantastic.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Isn't he going to Spurs?

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Dunno! First I've heard of it. He'd be quite good there.

      2. Athletico Underachieving
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Yep between him and Sarr as the Barnes replacement for GW4 onwards. Both great games and get money ITB

      3. Jarnathan
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Compare is stats between 2020 and 2021 on an average appearance....

    3. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      4 or 5 yeah

    4. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      might ride the double-Wolves wagon - they've had a shite load of shots

      1. Lord of Ings
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Wolves will start scoring just a matter of time,have been a bit unlucky.

      2. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        If only they could start hitting the target...

    5. zes
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Bamford looks an option at the same time too

    6. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yes nice option from 4 or 5

    7. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Trincao is the Wolves player I’ve been looking at.

      Dropped to 5.9 now.

      1. Carlton P
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I will probably go for one Leeds and one wolves. Think Raph and Jimi

    8. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      yes. it will be him, nacho or dcl

    9. Rbyrne95
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Have Ings atm -- Jimenez or DCL moving forwards then?

      I'd maybe consider doing it this week early but with 1 FT and Mahrez with pep roulette I am unsure. Might jump on the Jimenez shout soon enough

  4. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Great start of the season but having Tsmikas Omobamidele and White I’m in trouble for next round. 2 FT and 0m in bank. Best option?

    A Omobamidele to Livramento and save transfer
    B Mahrez to Greenwood and Omobamidele to nailed 4,5m defender (then who?)

    Thanks!

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      If you are looking for a 4.5 then probably the Sp*rs options.
      Although I am somewhat hopeful that Ait-Nouri breaks into the team as Wolves have a sick fixture run coming up.

      1. Rbyrne95
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Who you thinking for spurs 4.5 options?

    2. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Tsi to livra before price drop?

  5. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Who scores more from gameweek 4-7?
    A)Barnes+Ings
    B)DCL+Jimenez (-8)

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      If you are considering a -8 then you are starting to look at wildcard territory

  6. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    On a wildcard, 1.0 to spend, Jota instead of Raphinha? Any other idea?

    Current team:

    Sanchez
    TAA / Dier / Livramento
    Salah / Bruno / Raphinha / Benrahma
    Lukaku / Antonio / Armstrong

    Foster / Duffy / Williams / Bissouma

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      The front 7 look great but why cheap out on the third defender spot? Use the cash there.
      2 defenders at 4.0 is ok but 3 is a step too far and Dier could be in danger from Romero.

  7. ALegendJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    I need a 3rd defender, eyeing Everton assets (I know I know :D). White to:

    A) Digne (risk of price drop)
    B) Coleman
    C) Other

    Team is for info:

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Tsimi
    Benrahma Salah Bruno Raphinha Greenwood
    Antonio Ings

    Steele White Obafemi Omobamidele

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      a

    2. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Coufal is easy choice

  8. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Had to pull the trigger on Ings to Antonio. Watch him do nothing this week

    1. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Ings at home before Brentford! Could work, but I wouldn't have done it

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Brentford two clean sheets in two and Antonio is in the form of his life. Wouldve got rid of Ings next week anyway so hoping it works out

  9. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    We need Amartey to play the Norwich game. Just one more!

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      See the latest tweet up top

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Hopes to have him train, let alone play! I say we can get one more game 🙂

  10. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Done my moves - should be GTG?

    Maybe should have got rid of Barnes but will give him that NOR game...

    Sanchez
    TAA/Shaw/Ayling
    Salah/Bruno/Greenwood/Barnes/Raph
    Ings/Antonio(c)

    Steele/Duffy/Tsim/Scarlett

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yes g2g

    2. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Gonna do Barnes to Sarr, Benrahma or Wolves mid after IB

  11. Matt Sk
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Best option from Spurs defenders? Thanks

    1. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Reguilon

  12. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Are we 100% sure that Tsim doesn't start this week?

    Have both Ayling and Amartey on the bench who I could start ahead of Tsim.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I would be very confident Robertson returns if he is fully fit.

      Ayling is fine to play this GW

    2. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      For chelsea game robo surley starts

  13. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Which wolves option are you looking at?
    A)Jimenez
    B) traore
    C)Trincao

    Although B and C are good,Jimenez is and has always been the talisman with pen duties so I'm still looking at Jimenez.

  14. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Son and Toney > pogba and Antonio ?

    Antonio killing my rank, if he goes big again in either of the next 2 it’s horrible

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Can you hold out until the deadline? Might have to absorb a price rise/fall but should be clearer about the quarantine situation for internationals.

      Do you prefer Pogba to Greenwood?

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I think I prefer pogba for being more nailed but not 100%, greenwood would be the template

        I think I have to hold out to hear this and also to hear son injury news

  15. Kimmich
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Looking for a Barnes replacement, can’t afford Jota or Greenwood without a -4. 7.5 itb.

    Sanchez
    TAA - Shaw - Ayling (Duffy - Tsim)
    Salah - Bruno - X - Benrahma (Gilmour)
    Antonio - Ings - Bamford

    1. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      £7.5 is a tricky bracket now that Greenwood and Jota are now £7.6. I would say Raphina or Alli

      1. Kimmich
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I’d have gone Raph if I didn’t have Bamford not saying a Leeds triple wouldn’t work but not keen on that.

        I’ve been considering Sarr/Gray/Wolves player but honestly not sure

    2. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Raphinia good fixtures

  16. AM9
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Son or Antonio (C)?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Antonio

  17. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Sanchez
    Taa digne shaw
    Bruno (c) salah barnes raph
    Toney antonio ings

    Foster Brownhill Tsimikas White
    0.0 itb 2ft

    A) Barnes > Benrahma roll transfer
    B) Tsimikas > Livramento roll transfer

    1. Al Pacho
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Definitely A

  18. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    2 FTs.
    Good moves?

    White, Gundo > TAA, Benrahma

  19. Gonzola
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Spurs defence. Seems like there's value there this season.

    Who's most nailed out of Dier, Tanganga and Sanchez?

    1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Sanchez imo

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Dier - Lusophone connection with Nuno

    3. Wake me up before sanogo
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I think this is really hard to predict until Romero settles, would be grateful for any Spurs fans expertise here but I think Sanchez is more nailed than Dier, but Tanganga can play in back 4 and back 3.

      I'm tempted to get Reguilon in instead even if that means Tsimi will stick around for a bit longer.

      1. Gonzola
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah I guess it's a wait and see. I'm reluctant to get in Reguilon when there's so many 4.5 options. Really don't want Dier in my team due to past trauma. If Tanganga can hold his spot he would be my pick.

  20. mcginnntonic
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Livramento nailed?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      No, first season of professional first team football

  21. Rbyrne95
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Start Amartey or Livramento?

    1. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Amartey

  22. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    2 FTs, should I make moves or just be patient one more week ?

    A) Maddison, Toney and Jota could make way

    B) Benhrama, Greenwood, Ings, DCL could come in

  23. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Would you start Tsimikas or Atkins?

    If Tsimikas doesn’t start do you think he’ll come on?

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Unlikely he'd sub on